A food allergy is a common condition which happens when your immune system has a reaction to a certain food. Food allergies should be differentiated from food intolerance. Food intolerance does not involve the immune system, whereas food allergies would trigger the immune system to respond to allergens in specific food items.
What are some triggers for food allergies?
Food allergies are triggered by the response of your immune system to a food item. When your immune system characterizes an item in your food to be a danger to your health, you may have a food allergic reaction. This reaction causes a release of histamine and many other substances in your body. This presents with hives, asthma symptoms, itching in the mouth or skin, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain.
What food items most frequently cause allergic reactions?
Peanuts, milk, shellfish, sesame oil, fish, tree nuts, wheat, and eggs are the most frequent causes of food allergies.
What is “delayed food allergy”?
Delayed food allergy or food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is rare and usually presents more frequently in babies. The baby usually is vomiting, which causes dehydration only hours after having the food. The most common causes of FPIES are milk, grains, and soy. It’s important to remember that this type of food allergy is not triggered by IgE antibodies.
Food allergies are one of the reasons that we recommend for 6 to 12 month old babies to be introduced to new food items at a rate of one item per week. This way parents can monitor and record which food items may cause allergic reactions in the baby. It is important to keep a diary and avoid future triggers.
What are some symptoms of food allergies?
Signs of food allergies include severe nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, red and itchy rashes, face swelling in some cases, eczema, swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth, throat itching or tightness, feeling dizzy, runny or stuffy nose, etc. These signs and symptoms may start within minutes to an hour after eating a food item. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to avoid future severe reactions.
Furthermore, there are severe signs and symptoms which will need immediate medical attention. Anaphylaxis is life threatening. Anaphylaxis includes difficulty breathing, wheezing, the feeling that the throat is closing, which prevents the person from talking. Other symptoms include severe swelling of the face and lips, heart-race, and seizures.
In case of anaphylaxis, you should immediately call 911. If you have an EpiPen, you should use it, but you should still call 911 or take the person to a hospital for evaluation.
How can I prevent myself from having these reactions? Is there a way to diagnose my food allergies before I have an allergic reaction?
Yes, discuss this with your healthcare provider and they will do a thorough health history and physical exam. As needed, they can provide skin prick tests, blood tests, oral food challenge, and trial of elimination diet, along with other specific tests to help you determine your food allergies.
How can I treat my food allergies?
Food allergies cannot be treated, but can be avoided 100%. One way is to ask your healthcare provider to provide you a letter or a small card to carry to all the restaurants and friends homes. This card usually lists the food items that may cause severe allergic reactions. You should also carry an EpiPen (epinephrine auto injector) in case of an emergency. There are medications available to subside the allergic reaction, which according to the level of your allergic reactions, you can buy over the counter or ask your provider to prescribe for you.
In terms of preventative medication, the first treatment for food allergies using oral immunotherapy was approved by the FDA a few years back, which helps with peanut allergies in children ages 4 to 17. Ask your provider for more information.
Please note that this information is intended for general education and does not apply to specific cases. Please schedule an appointment for an individualized assessment and a long-term plan. We will provide complete support until you are symptom free and you stay symptom free.
More resources to explore:
Food Allergy Research and Education Organization
Article: Avoiding Food Allergy Reactions
Article: Food Allergy
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